Electroplating of porous gold films for SERS analysis of heme derivatives

Gold porous films with an 2D inverse opal structure were prepared via electrochemical deposition for further application as SERS-active substrates for the on-chip analysis of heme B derivatives. The thickness of the deposited film was controlled through deposition charge while the grain size was dependent significantly on electrolyte content. A semiquantitative surface analysis of film composition and phase analysis of the gold films were performed by XPS and XRD methods while the observed local, Mie and Bragg plasmon resonance modes were discussed based on UV-vis reflectance data.